First case of avian flu detected in the canton of Aargau

In the canton of Aargau, bird flu was detected in a wild bird for the first time this winter. According to the canton, it is a black-headed gull found in Döttingen AG.

The veterinary service initially received a message about a neurologically striking seagull spinning in a circle, the Aargau state chancellery announced on Friday. A vet put the seagull to sleep. The external laboratory investigation confirmed the suspicion of avian flu.

Several cases of the bird flu virus have already occurred in other cantons. Last November, the federal government declared the whole of Switzerland a bird flu control area and imposed protective measures. These are intended to prevent contact between wild birds and domestic poultry and thus prevent contamination of domestic poultry.

The current case of bird flu in a wild bird in the canton of Aargau illustrates the importance of complying with the measures imposed, the State Chancellery said. Additional measures are currently not planned.

The federal government extended the measures to protect against avian flu until at least March 15. Their main purpose is to avoid contact between wild birds and domestic poultry.

Domestic fowl – such as chickens and geese – are only allowed to stay in places that are protected from wild birds. This has been the case since November, after the bird flu virus was detected in a company near Winterthur ZH.

According to the federal government, the risk of introducing bird flu into Switzerland remains high until the wild waterfowl have left their winter home in Switzerland. It should be early March. (aeg/sda)